Fools Paradise’s The Last Why

This piece might look a lot like one we recently discussed, Fools Paradise’s The Last Ride (see review here). But as the purple and green coloration indicates, this version doesn’t simply depict Alan Ng’s Lowfool character in his Batman-inspired guise… This is the Joker-themed The Last Why set.

My Impressions of The Last Why

With all the same basic components as The Last Ride (2016), we are once again presented with the massive Bat Lowfool figure, gazing downward at a coin in his hand, standing near a tiny Coin Rides Game. And like all the pieces in the Coin Rides Game series, this stylized rendition of the Tumbler from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy uses ball-joints to allow for side-to-side movement.

What makes this version special and different starts with the coloration. More than themed on the aesthetic of the Caped Crusader’s nemesis, all the green vinyl elements on this work glow-in-the-dark. And then there’s the Coin Rides Game’s platform and change machine, which are an eye-catching metallic purple that subtly sparkles in the light.

Produced in association with JP Toys, whose logo is quote-unquote tattooed on his shoulder, this version of the piece is decorated not only with all the designs we’d seen on Bat Lowfool’s costume in The Last Ride but also several we’d previously seen on the KEIKOJOKER at Coin Rides Game #4 piece (see review here), such as the stylized K, the “Was this really necessary?” warning, the Cheshire cat smile, the “Catch me if u can” taunt, the “Why Not Serious” query, and the “always keiko” statement. But, beyond these, there are quite a few new tattoos added.

And from the icons depicting the mustached Lowfool in his Batman cowl on the Tumbler to the variety of bat depictions on the figure to the laughter marks coating both, found amongst this variety of obvious jests are some rather interesting ones. Continuing the more text-based emphasis, there’s a miasma of newly added Chinese and French verbiage.

But to me the stand out texts are a strange juxtaposition that occurs, aspirational phrases — like “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try” — transformed into darker meanings by proximity to simple words like “Suicide”.

And this mortality based humor leads perfectly into the several cartoonish faces with Xs over their eyes. Which, in turn, reach their pinnacle with Lowfool’s X’d out eyes accented by an emoji-like smile. This reoccurring element, similar to KAWS’ usage, can be taken to indicate the virtual deaths of humanlike but ultimately nonliving characters. Or, taken in this context, they seem sly references to Joker’s homicidal nature and comic book origins. Regardless of how you interpret them, these simple Xs over the eyes immediately convey a meaning to the viewer. One which prompts some emotional state, whether it be sadness or empathy or simply humor.
A more subtle, singular design that can convey a similar range of emotions is this piece. Reminiscent of Banksy’s Flying Balloons Girl aesthetic with the twisted humor of his Bomb Hugger, this simple design speaks volumes. Children are a wonderfully direct manner in which to express innocence and vulnerability, the floating aspect conveying that sense of child-like idealism and imagination. But, in the end, her purity is being carried away by a grenade, a symbol of death and destruction. Which, of course, is a very appropriate statement in relation to Gotham City’s most wanted.

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Half of the husband-and-wife team that founded CoART, Nick Curtis is a well-established voice within the designer toy community, having served as a critic & writer for Spanky Stokes (2012-Present), the associate editor of Clutter Magazine (2013-2016), and an organizer of the Designer Toy Awards (2014-2015).